Use Balsamic Vinegar All you need to know about Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
Today we want to tell you another fascinating story: that of the expert tasters of ABTM (Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena), an association which has a primary role in the world of ABTM.
The origins: on the 17th of April 2000, the European community recognizes to Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena (ABTM) the protected designation of origin (POD) according to the CEE 2081/82 which legally defines the origin of typical regional food products. The journey started by the ABTM Consortium in 1993 was very long and difficult but finally it was crowned by a great success.
The achievement of the POD certification implied the certification of third parties, among which the experts tasters of ABTM which represent the highest guarantee of the quality of the product. The expert taters are enabled by the ministry of agricultural and forestry policies (MIPAF) and they taste all the ABTM that producers want to sell. They authorize the bottling only if the product respects the requested quality standards.
In 2000 the Chamber of commerce of Modena organized a course for aspiring expert tasters; but actually tasters were active since 1986, namely since when the State authorized the sale of the product. At the end of the course 28 expert tasters were enabled and registered at the chamber of commerce.
Then, in July 2000, during the ceremony of “graduation” of the expert tasters, some of them launched the idea of creating an association to protect and develop the role of expert taster. The idea got a lot of success among the majority of the other tasters which decided to follow and develop this idea. After 3 moths of long and intense meetings in the winery of Levizzano Rangone, all the operational aspects, the management and the statute were discussed and decided.
The official birth took place on the 13th of December 2000 thanks to the notary Eugenio Gambigliani Zoccoli: at this point the Association of expert tasters of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena (AED ABTM) was officially operative. 21 out of 28 enabled expert tasters decide to took part to the association . The first board of directors was composed by: Graziano Corradettti, Mario Gambigliani Zoccoli, Enrico Nasi, Gianluca Trenti and Secondo Vecchi. They council nominated Enrico Nasi president of the association.
For the first 4 years the association covered a role which was equivalent to that of a professional category. Infact, still today, it protects the activity of the expert tasters in synergy with CERMET and with the ABTM Consortium, as representant of producers.
Over time, the association organized several advanced courses which were extremely innovative. The partners chosen by the association are extremely important. Moreover some courses were funded by the European commission and by the CCIAA of Modena.
On the 13th December 2004 the governing council decided to modify the statute, opening the access to the association to all those which who are interested in the world of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar. This awaked the interest of many Balsamic Vinegar lovers who wanted to get closer to this fascinating world. This was confirmed by the numerous participants to the following course, organized in 2005.
TODAY: this association conquered a primary role in the world of ABTM. It now counts a hundred of members and keeps growing, including more and more people in the province of Modena. Also local administrations are extremely satisfied. But the bets is yet to come…in fact, the association is now organizing the first Palio of Ghirlandina tower (A competition) …for more info about it check their website! http://www.aedbalsamico.com
L-Originale Balsamic Vinegar of Modena: www.l-originale.com
